ParaNorman cookies

PARANORMAN cookies and cupcakes for Halloween

I know, it feels almost too early for Halloween, but the eerie chill you feel (right? that’s what I was going for) is actually meant to celebrate the almost-release of the 3D stop-motion family film, ParaNorman, from Focus Features, opening August 17. Focus Features asked me to help spread the word via sweets, and how can I resist this awesome combination of kid fun, dessert and movies? They created an uber-fantastic, supernatural decorating kit so you could create your own themed desserts. I made ParaNorman cookies and cupcakes.

Quotedfrom Focus Features: “The film ParaNorman follows Norman, a misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead and his adventures as he takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups, in order to save his town from a centuries-old curse. The film is rated PG and from the makers of Coraline. It promotes the positive message of embracing the qualities that make each of us unique and not to shy away from our gifts, like the tagline says, ;You don’t become a hero by being normal.’ Leslie Mann, John Goodman, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck and Kodi Smit-McPhee lend their voices to the film.” Read more about the film HERE.

THE DECORATING KITS

I made some cookies on a stick with the cookie cutters, and given the film’s subject matter, I feel entirely OK about the whole head-on-a-stick thing. By the way, that red felt tie is supposed to represent Norman’s sweatshirt. I also used the edible frosting toppers to make cookie pops. And I used the cupcake liners and picks to make some neon green cupcakes oozing blood.

how to make Paranorman cookies

To make the cookie pops, I made mycookie dough, chilled, rolled out and cut out 2 1/2-inch circles for the frosting topper cookie pops and used my Norman cookie cutter to make Norman. For cookie pop how-tos, click here. I prepared myroyal icing, divided and tinted using my Americolor Soft Gel Pastes (Bright White, Super Black, Peach, a mix of Sky and Royal Blue, and Chocolate Brown). To make Norman, I prepped decorating bags with couplers and size 1, 2, and 3 tips and piped my decoration. For the circle pops, I outlined each circle with white and flooded with white icing. (For basic cookie decorating how-tos, click here andto find supplies click here.) Then I let the flooded icing dry overnight. I brushed the surface of the cookie with light corn syrup, then gently placed a frosting topper on top and smoothed with my fingers.

how to make Paranorman cupcakes

To make the cupcakes, I simply prepared white cake batter from a mix, and added some Electric Green Americolor Soft Gel Paste. I made some frosting, tinted it with the same Electric Green, and used a decorating bag with size 1M tip to pipe the frosting on the cupcakes. Then I put some strawberry preserves in a decorating bag, snipped the tip and piped “blood” on the cupcakes. Insert the picks, and that’s it.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Melissa, Amber, Mikey, Stephanie and Carla! Their comments (numbers 5, 64, 65, 44 and 7) were randomly drawn to win and their prizes are on the way…

Whoooo…creapy ghost sounds coming your way 🙂 My son just finished reading this book in anticipation of the movie release, he can’t wait and it would be so much fun to make Paranorman treats with him to celebrate the opening. Cool way to make it a full circle experience! Thanks for the chance to win!

Those are adorable! I would LOVE to win one of these. Can’t wait for this movie to come out. I loved Coraline and Halloween is my favorite holiday. I’m already in full Halloween mode… anything creepy this time of year is normal for me. : )

BOO! My daughter (who is 6) decorates cookies right along side me.. and I know this would be a fun project to do after seeing the movie.
Love your cookie pops and your site..your RI (sort of) is my go to icing (love love love it!)…Thank you so much!

I have a question – when you’re colouring buttercream (which I think this is?), how do you get more delicate colours? I struggle to get pale colours because the cream is already yellow from the butter. I tried to make some purple the other day using gels, but the yellow base-colour made it very difficult and I ended up with a muddy dark pink (which actually looked okay once it was piped).

These look like fun to make! Such an awesome movie coming and what better way to celebrate than baking! Even if it means putting Normans head on a stick… Than eating it… Oh my gosh… I am a Zombie… By heart…

woo hoo, I won a set. When, I looked at the Norman cookie cutter, I was trying to come up with something else to use it for. I keep seeing a frankenstein head with the bolts sticking out of his neck. Thanks again.